ICCROM Fellowships
The Fellowship Programme is a valuable part of the life of ICCROM. Its purpose is to bring fresh perspectives, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas and stimulate new avenues of research that will enrich the field of heritage conservation. Through the programme, senior professionals who are nationals of ICCROM Member States or working in organizations therein can apply to undertake a period of study at ICCROM to pursue their research.
WHY APPLY?
A fellowship at ICCROM is a unique opportunity for reflection and study while engaging in the life of an international organization. During their time at ICCROM, Fellows benefit not only from direct access to one of the world’s most extensive conservation libraries (with holdings in over 70 languages) as well as ICCROM’s archives but also through exchange with staff and other heritage professionals. It is an occasion to gain new insights at the international level and establish new professional relationships.
ELIGIBILITY
Individuals who specialize in a discipline related to cultural heritage, either as researchers, teachers or practitioners, are welcome to apply. Candidates must hold at least a Master’s degree or higher in an area related to cultural heritage and have been professionally active in the field for at least ten years. While research can be conducted in any language, Fellows are expected to have a good knowledge of one of ICCROM's two official languages (English and French).
AREA OF PROPOSED STUDY
Proposals on any research topic connected to heritage conservation are welcomed; however, those directly relevant to ICCROM’s Strategic Directions are encouraged. Information regarding ICCROM’s Strategic Directions can be found here.
LOCATION
Fellowships can be undertaken at ICCROM headquarters in Rome or the ICCROM-Sharjah Regional Office in the UAE.
DURATION
Fellowships can be of variable length, between 2 and 6 months. Other time frames may be considered if justification is given. At the end of their fellowship, Fellows are asked to present their research to staff and external guests. After completing their fellowship, Fellows will also be contacted by ICCROM to provide feedback on their fellowship and its outcomes.
VISA, TRAVEL AND MEDICAL INSURANCE
Fellows are responsible for arranging their travel, accommodation and personal insurance. ICCROM assists Fellows in obtaining the necessary documents to enter and temporarily reside in Italy or the UAE and, when possible, in finding reasonable accommodation. Valid major global medical and accident insurance coverage for the full period of the fellowship is compulsory.
FINANCIAL AND OTHER SUPPORT
Due to current budgetary constraints, ICCROM is not in a position to provide financial support for fellowships. During their fellowship, Fellows are provided with office space, a computer workstation and unlimited access to the internet and stationery; in addition, Fellows have full access to ICCROM's documentation, library and archives services.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The deadline for receipt of applications to undertake a fellowship in 2026 is 15 September 2025.
All fellowships awarded will be taken up in 2026 unless otherwise agreed
APPLICATIONS
Fellowship applications can be submitted online from the beginning of each year until the deadline indicated above. To apply for a fellowship, please fill in the application form. To finalize your application, the following digital files will be required when completing the online form (allowed formats: pdf, doc, docx, jpg, jpeg, png, tif, tiff, with a maximum file size of 3 MB):
- an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae;
- confirmation of agreement from your employer, if applicable, to undertake research at ICCROM; and
- three letters of reference from persons who have direct knowledge of your work.
If you are unable to submit your application using the online form, please contact the Fellowship Programme focal point:
Alison Heritage
Project Manager, Strategic Planning and Research
ICCROM - Fellowship Programme
Via di San Michele, 13
I-00153 Rome, Italy
E-mail: fellowships@iccrom.org
Fax: +39 06 58 55 33 49
SELECTION
The Fellowship Selection Committee assesses all fellowship proposals. Candidates will be informed of the Committee’s decision in writing as soon as results are available. The timeframe for receiving notification varies depending on the number of proposals received.
Proposals are evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Overall quality and clarity of the proposal
- Research need: the research should address an identified knowledge gap.
- Quality of the anticipated results: it should be apparent how the expected results will constitute a valuable development or progress step in furthering the field of heritage conservation.
- Feasibility: the research project must be feasible within the resources ICCROM offers and the specified timeframe.
- Dissemination plan: it should be specified how the research findings will be shared with the broader conservation community. Open access dissemination is encouraged.
- Relevance to ICCROM’s Strategic Directions: research topics that are relevant to ICCROM's Strategic Directions are given preference.
Please Note:
Fellows are expected to undertake independent research and cannot request to be supervised by an ICCROM staff member.